Here’s One Travel Detail That Could Make Your Flight to Europe Less Stressful

Whenever possible, I recommend a nonstop flight. Fewer flights result in fewer opportunities for delays, missed connections, and luggage taking a “vacation” without you.

Many of us don’t live near a major international gateway. If you’re traveling to Europe from cities like Nashville or much of the central U.S., your itinerary will likely include at least one connection before crossing the Atlantic.

If a connection is unavoidable, here’s something many travelers don’t know: where you connect can make a real difference.

For years, connecting through major European hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris has been popular. However, as Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES) rolls out, some travelers face significant delays due to additional passport and biometric processing at Schengen Area entry points. The impact varies by airport and time of day, but is another factor to consider when choosing flights.

Canada now offers another option.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has expanded its Free Flow International-to-International Transit program. Eligible passengers connecting through Toronto Pearson Terminal 1 (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), and Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) can continue directly to their next international flight without stopping to see a border officer or use a customs kiosk. Participating airlines securely transmit required travel information in advance, so eligibility is verified behind the scenes.

For travelers, the biggest benefit is simple: one less line to stand in and one less thing to worry about during a connection. If you’ve ever looked at the departure board, checked your watch for the fifth time, and wondered whether you’d make your next flight, you know how valuable that can be.

To qualify, travelers must remain in the international transit area, have the required travel documents for their final destination, and hold a confirmed onward international flight departing within 24 hours. Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirements still apply where applicable.

Does this mean you should always connect through Canada? Not necessarily.

A U.S. connection followed by a nonstop flight to Europe is still my first choice when schedules allow. Once across the Atlantic, avoiding another connection is almost always the simplest approach.

My recommendation is simple:

First choice: A U.S. connection followed by a nonstop flight to Europe. This eliminates the need to connect after crossing the Atlantic and keeps your travel day as simple as possible.

Second choice: A connection through Canada. Routing through one of Canada’s participating airports may be smoother than connecting through a busy European hub, especially as Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to roll out.

Third choice: A connection through a European hub, where EES processing could add another step to your journey depending on the airport and itinerary. Make sure you have ample connection time to avoid missing your flight.

This is one of those travel details most people never think to ask about, and that’s understandable. Airline schedules, airport layouts, border procedures, and entry requirements constantly change. Part of my job is keeping up with those changes so I can recommend an itinerary based on more than just airfare or flight times.

Sometimes the best flight isn’t simply the cheapest or the fastest. It’s the one that helps your vacation begin with less stress and a little more confidence.